How To Make Your Bed Like in a Hotel

The feeling you get when slipping into a perfectly made hotel bed comes from a combination of many things, including smooth sheets, fluffy pillows, and a crisp, inviting look. The good news? You can recreate that same experience at home by following the right techniques and investing just a bit into high-quality bedding. Here’s how to make your bed like in a hotel.

Making the Bed Itself

The first step in having a hotel-like bed in your home is learning how to make it. Don’t worry, it’s not too hard. You can do it in 5 steps: 

1. Start with a Fitted Sheet

The fitted sheet is the foundation of a well-made bed, and getting it right makes a big difference. Hotels always use tightly pulled fitted sheets to create a smooth, wrinkle-free base. To do the same at home, stretch the sheet over all four corners of your mattress, making sure it sits snugly without any loose fabric. 

If your sheet has elastic edges, tuck them firmly underneath to keep everything in place. A common mistake is leaving the sheet slightly loose, which causes wrinkles - hotel beds never have this problem because they make sure everything is pulled taut. If your sheets tend to slip, you can even use sheet straps underneath the mattress to hold them securely.

2. Add the Flat Sheet

Once the fitted sheet is in place, it’s time to layer on the flat sheet. Lay it evenly over the mattress, allowing it to drape over the sides and the foot of the bed. If your sheet has a decorative or finished edge, place it upside down; this way, when you fold it back later, the design will be visible. 

The key to achieving that hotel look is in how you tuck the sheet. Instead of leaving the sides loose, tuck the bottom part of the sheet tightly under the mattress. Then, use the classic ‘hospital corner’ technique - lift the hanging fabric on the sides, tuck in the sheet underneath at about a 45-degree angle, then fold the lifted fabric down and tuck it in tightly. This creates a clean, crisp edge, just like in a five-star hotel.

3. Layering for Comfort and Style

A hotel bed isn’t just about neatness but also about layers. After the flat sheet, most hotels add a lightweight blanket or a duvet, followed by another flat sheet on top. This sandwiching technique keeps the blanket clean, since it doesn’t come into direct contact with the sleeper. 

If you want that plush, cloud-like feel, use a fluffy duvet and place it inside a high-quality duvet cover. Make sure to distribute it evenly inside the cover to prevent lumps or empty spaces. Once the duvet is in place, fold back the top sheet and blanket together to reveal a neatly layered look. That being said, there are many ways to layer a bed and it largely depends on what you have at home. So it’s fine to experiment a bit.

4. Arranging Pillows Like a Hotel

Then, pillows play a big role in a hotel-style bed. Hotels don’t just use one or two pillows per side. They create a luxurious arrangement with multiple layers. You can start by placing two large sleeping pillows against the headboard. These are your base pillows, usually covered with matching pillowcases. 

In front of them, add two more standard-sized pillows for extra comfort. Then, finish with one or two decorative pillows or cushions to complete the look. The key is to fluff the pillows regularly so they stay full and inviting. In hotels, housekeeping often karate chop decorative pillows in the centre to give them a stylish, slightly indented look.

5. The Finishing Touches

To complete your hotel-style bed, take a moment to smooth out any wrinkles. Run your hands over the sheets and duvet to ensure everything looks neat and even. If you want to take it a step further, lightly mist your sheets with a linen spray for a fresh, inviting scent. A quick spritz of lavender or cotton-scented spray can make your bed feel even more luxurious.

In short, to make a bed like in a hotel, you should:

1. Start by securing a tightly fitted sheet with no wrinkles;

2. Lay a flat sheet evenly and tuck it in;

3. Add a blanket or duvet, ensuring it’s evenly distributed;

4. Layer pillows, starting with sleeping pillows at the back and decorative ones in front;

5. Smooth out wrinkles and optionally mist with a linen spray for a fresh finish.

However, making a bed like in a hotel is not just about the process of making the bed itself. It’s just as much about the bedding you use. So, you need:

Quality Sheets, Pillowcases, and Pillows

A well-made bed is only part of the equation - hotels also use high-quality bedding to create that luxurious feel. If you want to replicate the experience at home, choosing the right materials is essential. The best material for bed sheets is one that feels soft, breathable, and durable. Many high-end hotels use Egyptian cotton because of its superior quality. It has long fibres that create a smooth, strong fabric, making the sheets both soft and long-lasting. If Egyptian cotton is out of your budget, 100% cotton percale is another great option.

It has a crisp, cool texture that’s often used in luxury hotels. Your pillowcases should match the quality of your sheets. Soft, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen will feel comfortable against your skin. As for pillows, hotels typically use a mix of down and down-alternative pillows to offer a balance of softness and support. If you prefer a firmer pillow, memory foam can be a great alternative. High-quality bedding makes all the difference if you wish to create a bed like in a hotel.

But there’s another key element that gives hotel beds their signature feel - keeping the bedding crisp.

Keeping the Bedding Crisp

One of the reasons hotel beds always look so inviting is the crispness of the sheets. Achieving this at home can be done with a few simple techniques. First, ironing your sheets before making the bed removes wrinkles and gives them that freshly pressed look. If ironing feels like too much effort, a fabric steamer can be a quicker alternative.

Another trick hotels use (that we mentioned) is tight tucking - the sheets should be pulled taut and secured firmly under the mattress. Regularly smoothing out the bedding each morning also helps maintain a neat appearance. With these steps, your bed will always look fresh and pristine.

An Additional Important Step - the Bedroom Smell

Hotels don’t just focus on the look and feel of the bed; they also create a welcoming atmosphere through scent. A fresh, clean-smelling bedroom makes your bed feel even more luxurious. You can use a linen spray with light, soothing scents like lavender or cotton. Washing your sheets regularly with a lightly scented detergent also helps maintain freshness. Additionally, keeping the room well-ventilated and using an air purifier or essential oil diffuser can enhance the ambience, making your space feel like a five-star retreat.

Buy High-Quality Bedding Online

We mentioned that high-class hotels use high-quality bedding, so where can you get the same? At Machester Collection. We offer the luxury bedding you need at affordable prices. You can get all types of bed sheets in the sizes you need, from bamboo to Egyptian cotton sheets. We also offer pillowcases, quilt covers, blankets, bed runners, and everything in between.

Find what you need, order online, and we will ship it to your address or find a store near you to make your purchase. If you need help choosing or have any other questions, feel free to contact us, we’re glad to help.